Samsung is paying about $8 billion in cash to do the deal, or $112 per share. That's a 28% premium over Harman's closing share price on Friday.

"The transaction will immediately give Samsung a significant presence in the large and rapidly growing market for connected technologies, particularly automotive electronics," the company said in a statement.

More than 30 million vehicles globally are currently equipped with Harman connected car and audio systems.

3. Japan's GDP surprise: New data show Japan's economy grew at an annualized 2.2% in the third quarter, faster than economists had been expecting.

Japan's central bank has been using a range of moves to stimulate the sluggish economy and boost inflation.

"Combined with the recent weakening of the yen, today's figures ... reduce the pressure on the Bank of Japan to introduce more stimulus," said Marcel Thieliant, a senior economist at Capital Economics.